Seattle Mariners Proven Right in Offseason Roster Decision

The Mariners moved on from Mitch Haniger this past offseason, and they've been shown to be right in that move.

Seattle Mariners right fielder Mitch Haniger (17) holds a pitchfork after hitting a home run in the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in 2024. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

It was a long-winding journey that got me to thinking about former Seattle Mariners outfielder Mitch Haniger this morning.

I was thinking about roster moves that are likely coming for the team, in the form of soon activating Luke Raley and Bryce Miller from the injured list, and also eventually activating Victor Robles when September hits. I was also thinking about the inevitable corresponding moves and what their impacts would be on the roster, as well as what the impacts would be on the team's payroll, now, and in the future.

8 game hit streak for Mitch Haniger! Now hitting .297 on the season pic.twitter.com/TRGGTYALvl

— Cam (@Camd3n_10) April 17, 2024

And that led me to Haniger, the former All-Star outfielder who the Mariners cut bait with at the end of spring training. It was a necessary, but still surprising move, given that the M's had to eat more than $15 million on Haniger's salary.

Eventually, I thought to myself that it was surprising that no team had picked up Haniger this season, if even for a short trial. Just 34 years old still, a team could have had Haniger for the league minimum, with the Mariners picking up the rest of the bill. I'm shocked it didn't happen, given that Haniger hit 39 home runs as recently as 2021.

Seattle Mariners right fielder Mitch Haniger (17) hits a walk-off three-run double against the Detroit Tigers during the ninth inning at T-Mobile Park on Aug. 8. | Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Then, I eventually landed here too: Clearly, the Mariners were proven right in their decision. Teams are often afraid to part with players for the fear that they'll take off somewhere else. They are afraid of being the Chicago White Sox, who let go of Andrew Vaughn, only to see him become reborn with the Milwaukee Brewers.

That could have happened with Haniger too, but the M's made the move anyways. However, they weren't proven wrong, they were proven right. The fact that no team has even taken a minor league chance on him shows that.

Fans aren't always in the business of praising the front office, but they were happy to see them make this move in March, and they should be extra happy now: The group led by Jerry Dipoto and Justin Hollander got this one correct.

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